Cassian hesitated. "That girl looked so familiar. Father, do you think it could be...?”
ric knew who he was talking about. By that time they both froze in surprise, and Cassian even reached out as if to stop her, but she hurried away.
She looked so much like them... how could that be?
ric and Cassian exchanged a nce and immediately turned back to Nn''s office. But to their
disappointment, only Nn had entered.
As Nn walked in, he overheard Cassian saying, "Maybe we can ask something about her-" He saw Nn and immediately fell silent.
ric cleared his throat.
They rose as Nn entered. Nn nodded, offering the expected greetings.
"We appreciate your time," he said, taking his seat. “I understand your schedule is tight."
ric gave a faint nod. "Yes, of course. Thank you for your hospitality. We are thrilled to have this chance to bring the packs together, a stronger union, the stronger the packs."
Nn nodded. "I agree, this contract will benefit us both."
"Although," ric faltered, pushing a silvering lock out of his eyes. "We''ve had....... a few unexpected observations."
Cassian leaned forward, folding his hands on the table. "We are worried about the longevity of this alliance; moreover, the strength of your... line."
Nn''s eyes narrowed. "My line. You mean... my wife? Children?"
Cassian asked, and pretended not to be curious. “We were informed you''re wife
was a Rogue, childless at that. Where is she from again?"
Nn''s head tilted slightly. "Why does this concern our alliance?”
"Having a Rogue as a wife," Cassian clicked his tongue. "that''s rare. I''m just wondering..."
Nn frowned, "About what?"
Cassian''s brow twitched. "Does your wife have some... background or identity, something like that? After all, you''re an Alpha-she must have something special about her to win your heart."
Nn swirled the tea in his cup in thought, waiting patiently for their point, "She''s my fated mate, if that''s what you''re asking about."
"We were nning to push today''s agreement," ric said smoothly, "But I believe we should discuss our terms more thoroughly, perhaps revisit the nature of the alliance."
"And what exactly changed your minds?" Nn asked, arms folded.
+25 Bonus
Cassian leaned back. "We prefer to partner with stable packs. Ones whose leadership is aligned, both politically and personally. You know how much sway a Luna has. She reflects the values of the Alpha, after all.”
His tone was diplomatic. But his eyes were searching.
Nn narrowed his eyes. "Some packs don''t even have Lunas. It''s not a requirement."
"Perhaps,” Cassian replied. "But you have a wife, and we''d like to meet her."
There it was. The shift Nn had been sensing since the moment he mentioned Ellie.
“You''re unusually interested in my wife," Nn said slowly. “She''s not relevant to the trade routes or the border patrols. So why are we still circling around her?"
ric''s expression didn''t budge. "It''s simple. We want assurance that we''re joining with a pack that is not fractured internally. Leadership, bloodlines, and alliances are bound together in ways more subtle than ink and paper."
Nn hated how vague they were being.
And he hated even more that they knew something he didn''t.
Before he could press them further, the door to the meeting room flung open.
"Nn!"
Felicity''s voice was unmistakable, high-pitched, breathless.
She strode into the room,pletely unaware, or uncaring, of who was seated at
the table. Her heels clicked across the stone, her dress too tight, too red, like she was already celebrating.
She came to a stop in front of Nn and beamed.
"I heard you''re finally divorcing that bitch?!"
The words sliced through the air like a de through silk.
Silence followed.
Utter. Dead. Silence.
Felicity blinked at the stunned faces of the two men behind Nn, then slowly,
slowly realized they weren''t just background advisors.
ric''s brow raised a fraction.
Cassian''s mouth tightened into a hard line.
“Bitch?” ric said, voice low and dangerously calm. "Divorce?”
"-You''re referring to the wife of Alpha Nn?" He narrowed his eyes, dangerously.